The latest: First Lord of the Rings art released — one map to rule them all. Find out what it says about the series. Plus, Good Omens update, new Witcher series cast, and Chronicles of Narnia news.

TV is set for an onslaught of high-profile fantasy epics come 2019, and we at Rotten Tomatoes can’t wait. Witness the buzz around The Lord of the Rings television series in development at Amazon — acquired for $250 million and expected to ultimately cost more than $1 billion — the Gormenghast series announced in early April by FreemantleMedia North America, and Netflix’s new take on the Arthur legend, Cursed. It’s a big change from the genre’s historical position in the medium.

It may be strange to think of it now, but Game of Thrones was a risky proposition when HBO first began development of the series, and its prospects were buoyed by the fact that its more fantastic elements appeared later in the narrative (we had to wait so long for those dragons). Prior to that, fantasy was relegated to syndicated fare like Conan the Adventurer and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. Xena: Warrior Princess was an outlier in terms of quality storytelling, but its occasionally cheesy effects proved to the television executives that fantasy TV was too expensive, while other series proved it was often built on poor story standards. GoT changed that perception, even if the fantasy shows that emerged in its wake — The Shannara Chronicles and Shadowhunters for example — proved closer in story quality to the BeastMaster television series.

But The Lord of the Rings, Gormenghast, and Cursedare not the only promising fantasy series in development at the moment. A number of classic fantasy epics and novels will become television thanks to the power of streaming services like Amazon, cable options like BBC America, and others outlets that are worth spotlighting. There are also a few notable series not yet scooped up by the powers in television that we think should get the TV treatment as soon as possible. So here are 13 fantasy epics set to hit your screen soon and three more we hope will follow them.

FANTASY SERIES COMING TO TV AND STREAMING

UPDATED: The Lord of the Rings

Based on: J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, an epic tale of four Hobbits, a Wizard, an Elf, two Men and a Dwarf attempting to destroy the Dark Lord Sauron’s master weapon without letting him discover their plan. A war across most of Middle-earth ensues.

The Fanbase: The obsessive devotees of Tolkien’s legendarium and fans of the Peter Jackson film series.

Everything we know so far: Amazon is committed to produce a five-season series based on The Lord of the Rings in partnership with Tolkien’s estate and the various rights holders of the Rings and Hobbit film series. According to various reports, it will focus on a younger Aragorn, who roamed the lands of Middle-earth as a Dunedain ranger under various names like Strider and Thorongil. Those journeys will see him meet Arwen and visit Minas Tirith – his eventual capital city – for the first time. Thanks to the terms of the contract, the series must be in production by 2020, so we expect the first season to debut in 2021.

In February 2019, Amazon teased fans with a beautifully illustrated interactive map of Middle-earth extending into the far east region not included on maps Tolkien made himself, though he sketched out some topography for the area in his notes. The streaming platform also included this enigmatic quote from Tolkien’s Ring Poem: “Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky.” To fans, it suggested a Second Age setting, as that was the time in which the Elven rings were made, and a focus on areas not covered in Tolkien’s work. It seemingly contradicts the above report about the series centering on a young Aragorn. But as he ventured far and wide across Middle-earth in his younger years, it is possible this is his map.

It’s most like:The Lord of the Rings film series. Since the TV rights to Tolkien’s work remained with his estate, hammering out a deal with the likes of Warner Bros. Pictures, New Line Cinema, and MGM suggests Amazon has an interest in making the series visually consistent with Jackson’s vision of Middle-earth. Some rumors indicate the production will make use of New Zealand, where Jackson’s six films were shot, but this is far from confirmed.

Chances it will be a Certified Fresh hit:The Lord of the Rings films are all Certified Fresh at 91%, 95%, and 93% respectively. The Hobbit films less so — 64%, 74%, and 59% — but they were always at a disadvantage by adopting the tone of LOTR. A side story like Aragorn’s adventures before meeting Frodo has a better chance at working creatively and commercially by its very nature; it shares the same tone Tolkien envisioned for the War of the Ring.

UPDATED: Good Omens

Based on: The 1990 novel by the late Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman (or vice-versa, depending on which cover you bought). Set in a world where biblical legends are true, the keeper of the east gate of Heaven and the Serpent from the Garden of Eden unite to prevent the apocalypse as they’ve come to enjoy their quaint lives in the United Kingdom.

The Fanbase: The combined fanbases of Gaiman and Pratchett, poets, jokesters, lovers of myth and song.

Everything we know so far:David Tennant and Michael Sheen star as the serpent and the angel, respectively, while Jon Hamm is Archangel Gabriel, Frances McDormand plays God and, Gaiman revealed February 13, Benedict Cumberbatch will appear as Satan. Actors Jack Whitehall, Michael McKean, Miranda Richardson, Mireille Enos, and Nick Offerman also feature in key roles. Filming is currently underway with Gaiman acting as an executive producer and showrunner. The six-episode series will debut on Amazon and then air in the United Kingdom on BBC Two. In October, Amazon announced it signed an overall deal with Gaiman, in which the award-winning writer ​will exclusively develop television series for Amazon Studios to premiere globally in over 200 countries and territories on Amazon Prime Video. So, we also have more to look forward to from Gaiman.

It’s most like:Time Bandits, the 1985 Terry Gilliam film that also featured an irreverent look at God, angels, and Evil Geniuses.

Chances it will be a Certified Fresh hit: Season 1 of Gaiman’s only other television show, American Gods, is Certified Fresh at 92% on the Tomatometer. While it has similar themes, Gods is a far more serious — even portentous — take on Gaiman’s love of myths and legends. But Good Omens’ very British mindset may find an audience in the U.S. that American Gods has yet to capture.

UPDATED: Game of Thrones Prequels

(Photo by Macall B. Polay/HBO)

TV Release Date: TBD

Based on: The yarns of history or myth A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin likes to tell while characters eat sweet meats and plot their next move in the Game of Thrones. Also based on the stories he tells his audience while the author is not finishing The Winds of Winter.

The Fanbase:Game of Thrones fans, which is a large part of HBO’s subscriber base at this point.

Everything we know so far: At one point, HBO president Casey Bloys said there could be as many as five prequel series after Game of Thrones completes its run this year. Developed with Martin and talents like The Leftovers‘ Carly Wray and Kick-Ass‘s Jane Goldman, multiple premises were in an informal competition for the broadcast slot. Goldman’s eventually won out. Said to take place “thousands of years” before the War of the Five Kings, Goldman’s prequel series will focus on the decline of the Age of Heroes and the descent into the first Long Night. Production is expected to begin this year, but the series will not air until Game of Thrones completes its eighth and final season.

And as for the other show concepts, two are said to still be in development with one focusing on the Doom of Valyria, a cataclysmic event that saw the Essos city destroyed and sent the Targaryens fleeing for Dragonstone.

It’s most like:Game of Thrones. Unless, of course, Martin convinces HBO to put an outright GoT parody on the air.

Chances it will be a Certified Fresh hit: Unless it’s a colossal train wreck, it will be a hit. Even in its toughest moments, GoT, season-by-season, never dipped below 90% Fresh on the Tomatometer – though the episode “Unbroken, Unbowed and Unbent” wiped out (relative to other episodes) at a barely Rotten 58%. It would take an act of the Old Gods and the New to make it a dud. And should it fail, they have four more ideas to use.

The Witcher

TV Release Date: TBD

Based on: Andrzej Sapkowski’s Witcher novels and short stories centering on Geralt of Rivia, a Witcher who roams The Continent hunting legendary monsters and getting involved in geopolitical upsets (in spite of his own political neutrality). He eventually adopts Ciri, the princess of Cintra with ability to transverse space and time, and trains her as a Witcher.

The Fanbase: An international group composed of Sapkowski’s fans and gamers thanks to CD Projekt Red’s incredible The Witcher video game series.

Everything we know so far: Netflix picked up the rights to adapt the novel series back in May of 2017. The Expanse’s Sean Daniel and Jason Brown were announced as executive producers with Sapowski set to serve as a creative consultant. “I’m thrilled that Netflix will be doing an adaptation of my stories, staying true to the source material and the themes that I have spent over 30 years writing,” the author said at the time. In December 2017, Daredevil and Defenders co-executive producer Lauren Schmidt Hissrich was hired to run the show and write the pilot script. In September, Henry Cavill (pictured above) accepted the lead role in the series as Geralt of Rivia. The news got people talking, particularly as it seems his commitment to the series may prevent him from returning to the role of Superman. In October, Into the Badlands‘ Freya Allan was cast as key supporting character Ciri, princess of Citra, while Anya Chalotra (pictured above) was added as sorceress Yennefer. Both characters will join Geralt in his journeys across the Continent in the 8-episode first season. Other cast members include Jodhi May as Queen Calanthe, Fortitude’s Björn Hlynur Haraldsson as Eist, Adam Levy as Mousesack, MyAnna Buring as Tissaia, Mimi Ndiweni as Fringilla, Therica Wilson-Read as Sabrina, and Millie Brady as Princess Renfri. Directors for the series include Game of Thrones veteran Alik Sakharov, Luke Cage’s Alex Garcia Lopez, and Outlander’s Charlotte Brändström.

It’s most like… A private eye in Middle-earth. With its large assortment of creatures and various city-states in uneasy alliances or all-out war, the Witcher series takes many of its cues from the same European mythological traditions as Tolkien. But Geralt proves to be a unique character in this milieu thanks to his reluctance to pick sides and dedication to his first job: killing monsters.

Chances it will be a Certified Fresh hit: If the video game adaptations – which are not considered canon with the novel series – are any indication, The Witcher may be Netflix’s best chance at a true Lord of the Rings rival. The most recent game, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, was nearly universally praised as a marvelous role-playing video game thanks to its expansive version of The Continent and compelling characters like Geralt and Ciri. It also won a striking number of Game of the Year awards. Given a budget to make the monsters Geralt fights believable, it could surpass The Lord of the Rings.

The Chronicles of Narnia

TV Release Date: TBD

Based on: The seven Narnia novels by author C.S. Lewis, in which a group of WWII-era British school children gain access to a parallel realm known as Narnia. There, the Great Lion Aslan – a manifestation of Jesus Christ – teaches the children life lessons while giving them dominion over the land. The series eventually pivots from the Pevensie children to their cousin Eustace Scrubb, who goes from being a right git to a proper hero of Narnia. Santa Claus also makes a cameo appearance.

The Fanbase: Fans of high fantasy with overt Christian allegories.

Everything we know so far: On October 3, Netflix announced it acquired the film and television rights to the Narnia book series. The plan includes both films and television series, which suggests there may be a way to include the prequel novel, The Magician’s Nephew, in the story cycle. Mark Gordon, Douglas Gresham, and Vincent Sieber will serve as executive producers for the television series and as producers for features.

It’s most like: As Lewis and Tolkien were friends and sparring partners, similarities between Narnia and Middle-earth abound, right down to walking trees. As realized in other media, though, Narnia is not as fully formed as Tolkien’s Arda, with the world, costumes, and critters seeming more traditionally European in concept.

Chances it will be a Certified Fresh hit: The Narnia film series followed a downward slope with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe obtaining a Certified Fresh 76% on the Tomatometer, Prince Caspian following it up with a 67%, and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader striking out with a 50% score. But as the series eventually changes protagonists, the switch to Eustace always made Narnia a tougher theatrical sell. He may fare better on television.

The Wheel of Time

(Photo by Tor Books)

TV Release Date: TBD

Based on: The epic fantasy series by Robert Jordan and concluded by Brandon Sanderson — whose own Mistborn series is getting the film-franchise treatment — after Jordan’s death in 2007. Set in a world that is both Earth’s distant past and far future, the cycle of time is threatened by a Shadow of ultimate evil. It searches for “The Dragon Reborn,” a being of light fated to clash with the Shadow. Various enemies and allies of both sides appear as the main characters learn more about their fate and even cross into parallel worlds. Each book in the latter half of the series — books eight through 14 — hit No. 1 on The New York Times Best Seller list.

The Fanbase: Probably every fantasy fan you know.

Everything we know so far: Amazon and Sony Pictures Television announced in February 2018 that they are developing the series in concert, and at a London press event on October 2, they announced that they ordered the one-hour action-fantasy to series, with Rafe Judkins (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Chuck), who adapted the novels for television, serving as showrunner and executive producer. Rick Selvage and Larry Mondragon of Red Eagle Entertainment, Ted Field and Mike Weber of Radar Pictures (Beirut, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle) and Darren Lemke (Shrek Forever After) are executive producers. Consulting producer Harriet McDougal edited the Wheel of Time novels written by her late husband Jordan and is the current copyright holder.

It’s most like:The Lord of the Rings, which may be a problem as Amazon is committed to a five-season LOTR series already.

Chances it will be a Certified Fresh hit: It’s hard to say. Judkins boasts credits on CF seasons of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Fresh season of Chuck, but his primary credits also include a co-producer role on the 27%-scoring first season of Hemlock Grove; that said, the disastrous Netflix supernatural series starred Bill Skarsgård, who’s gone on to roles like Pennywise in CF horror film It and the mysterious prisoner in another supernatural series, Hulu’s CF hit Castle Rock. The key issue now is whether or not Amazon will have money to develop another property with an epic scope once LOTR begins production.

His Dark Materials

(Photo by New Line Cinema)

TV Release Date: TBD

Based on: Philip Pullman’s epic trilogy — Northern Lights (published in the North America as The Golden Compass and adapted into a movie of the same name, pictured above), The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass — centers on two children who grow up while journeying across parallel worlds, where they encounter talking armored bears and, of course, our world. Pullman’s story upends fantasy conventions and revolves on the notion that Original Sin is one of mankind’s greatest qualities.

Everything we know so far: The British Broadcasting Corporation commissioned an eight-part adaptation of the entire trilogy in 2015. In April of last year, writer Jack Thorne said the program was still in preproduction and that he was still trying to balance “what works and what doesn’t” while maintaining as much fidelity to the books as possible. In September, Deadline reported that HBO had come on board to produce the series and had acquired worldwide rights to the series outside of the United Kingdom.

It’s most like:Harry Potter with a healthy skepticism of organized religions. Pullman was surprised by the intense scrutiny the Potter books received from religious groups in the U.S. while his series openly criticized a Catholic form of government. Catholics eventually took notice and campaigned against the series’ film adaptation, 2007’s The Golden Compass.

Chances it will be a Certified Fresh hit: Produced by Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner — two of the people heavily involved in Doctor Who’s revival (88% Fresh) — the series may prove successful depending on how much compression of Pullman’s world is required to make it fit into eight hours of television.

The Watch

(Photo by publisher Victor Gollancz; Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

TV Release Date: TBD

Based on: Elements from the 41 Discworld novels by Terry Pratchett. Set on a world that is really a disc held in place by four elephants standing on the back of a turtle, Discworld is both a parody of early fantasy works and a sweeping universe in its own right. Thanks to the series, Prachett was the U.K.’s best-selling author in the 1990s. While Discworld does not tell one single overarching tale, its characters weave in and out of story lines, with characters like Death receiving major ongoing tales and constant cameos.

The Fanbase: Trickster know-it-alls with hearts of gold.

Everything we know so far: The BBC series will focus on the Ankh-Morpork City Watch. It is said to be a police procedural set in the major Discworld city, which will definitely set it apart from the likes of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and NCIS. The program does not have a U.S. distributor yet, but you can imagine it will be scooped up quickly by Syfy or Netflix.

It’s most like: . Like Douglas Adams’ comedic sci-fi yarn, Pratchett’s work appeals to those with a wide sense of humor and a love of rich characters.

Chances it will be a Certified Fresh hit: Previous Discworld-based television series like the Cosgrove Hall–produced Discworld animated shorts and The Hogfather are cult classics in the United States, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to major critical or commercial success. But the series could last a long time should the BBC and the eventual U.S. streamer or broadcaster position it toward the right audience.

Conan

(Photo by Universal Pictures)

TV Release Date: TBD

Based on: The stories of Robert E. Howard featuring Conan the Cimmerian who roamed a fictional “Hyborian Age” said to occur after the destruction of Atlantis, but before the rise of “modern” civilization. An accomplished warrior in his teens, Conan became a pirate, thief and mercenary before claiming the throne of Aquilonia in his forties by strangling the man who was sitting in it at the time.

The Fanbase: Everyone from fantasy authors like Robert Jordan to filmmakers like Oliver Stone and former president Barack Obama, as well as fans of the Conan films like 1982 Universal Pictures release Conan the Barbarian, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger (pictured).

Everything we know so far: Amazon is developing a series based more directly on Howard’s stories than later authors’ work or the Marvel Comics series of the 1970s and ’80s. Colony co-creator Ryan Condal hopes to reveal Conan’s search for a purpose, but the pilot will reportedly see him driven out of Cimmeria, possibly setting up his eventual fate on the Aquilonian throne. Game of Thrones director Miguel Sapochnik (“Battle of the Bastards”) is set to direct the pilot.

It’s most like: A Dark Age version of Thrones in which men wear fewer garments.

Chances it will be a Certified Fresh hit: If the pilot is anything like Sapochnik’s “Battle of the Bastards” – an episode which happens to be 98% Fresh on the Tomatometer — the program will make a great initial splash. As part of Amazon’s overall push toward fantasy, it may have a hard time distinguishing itself from The Lord of the Rings and the streamer’s other fantastical offerings.

The Dark Tower

(Photo by Columbia Pictures)

TV Release Date: TBD

Based on:Stephen King’s flagship fantasy series The Dark Tower. Across eight novels, a number of short stories and numerous connections to his other writings, the series details the journey of gunslinger Roland and his band of friends as they attempt to reach the Dark Tower — anchor point of the multiverse — before the Man in Black can destroy it. Once there, Roland discovers he’s played out this cycle before, clearing the way for film and television adaptations to be sequels of the original novel series.

The Fanbase: King’s wide audience and fantasy lovers who manage to get past the rough first chapters of The Gunslinger, the cycle’s first novel.

Everything we know so far: Originally intended as a companion piece to 2017’s The Dark Tower film centering on the life of Roland (played by Idris Elba, pictured above, in the film) in Mid-World, King’s recent comments suggest the series will be its own separate attempt to adapt his work. Which, considering the film’s poor performance (17% on the Tomatometer), is probably for the best. Though still unconfirmed, The Dark Tower series is likely another part of Amazon’s push toward fantasy with former The Walking Dead executive producer Glen Mazzara reportedly writing the pilot script; although, tweets by Mazzara and Amazon’s head of event series, Sharon Tal Yguado, confirming those facts have since been deleted.

It’s most like: Like a number of fantasy series from the 1970s and ’80s, it openly wears its Tolkien inspiration everywhere. In fact, King says as much in a foreword to the novel series. But it grows by leaps and bounds as King discovers a way to tie Mid-World to Derry, Maine, and his other favorite locations.

Chances it will be a Certified Fresh hit: The film’s rough showing is definitely a black mark against its potential as a series. But the sweep of the epic was always an ill-fit for the sort of movie Sony seemed interested in making. A full series, backed by Amazon’s money, could reveal characters and settings in a more successful and lucrative way. Plus, King is on a roll, between the success of the feature film It remake, which was Certified Fresh at 85% on 311 reviews and Hulu’s highly anticipated summer release of Castle Rock.

Gormenghast

(Photo by BBC/courtesy Everett Collection)

TV Release Date: TBD

Based on: Mervyn Peake’s mid-20th century novel trilogy — Titus Groan, Gormenghast, and Titus Alone — and the incomplete follow-ups centering on Titus Goran, reluctant heir to the immense Castle Gormenghast and the surrounding domain. But even as Titus grows up knowing he must eventually become a ruler, an ambitious kitchen boy plots his downfall.

The Fanbase: Writerly types like Neil Gaiman.

Everything we know so far:Gormenghast fan Gaiman and Star Trek: Discovery’s Akiva Goldsman are set to produce a new version of Gormenghast for FremantleMedia North America. The project, which was only announced two weeks ago, has yet to find a streaming platform or broadcaster it can call home. While the 2000 BBC adaptation of Gormenghast, starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers (pictured above), focused on the first two novels, the new series will cover all three of Peakes completed novels and the two further stories he outlined prior to his death in 1957.

It’s most like: Historical fiction with a few fantasy trappings.

Chances it will be a Certified Fresh hit: Unlike most of the other projects in development, Gormenghast is notable for a distinct lack of magic despite its fantasy setting. Like the grounded first season of Game of Thrones, the more realistic world will set it apart from Middle-earth and the Hyborian Age.

UPDATED: Cursed

(Photo by Warner Bros.)

TV Release Date: TBD

Based on: The forthcoming novel by The Cape creator Tom Wheeler and illustrated by 300’s Frank Miller. It is a retelling of the Arthur legend though the eyes of Nimue, the Lady of the Lake as she journeys to deliver a sword to the wizard Merlin. Along for the ride is a young mercenary named Arthur.

The Fanbase: Unknown, but fans of Miller’s art will likely take a look at the book once it is published and look to the series to visually capture his unique style.

Everything we know so far: Netflix is developing a 10-part series alongside Wheeler and Miller’s final revisions of the novel. Both are attached to the project as executive producers, alongside Zetna Fuentes, who will also direct the first two episodes. In September, 13 Reasons Why’s Katherine Langford was cast in the lead as Nimue.

Chances it will be a Certified Fresh hit: Considering most King Arthur live-action movies falter — Excalibur is the only Certified Fresh live-action Arthur film at 78% — there is something of a curse around the legend and its various tales that affects attempts to film it. (Crossing fingers for the live-action feature-film adaptation of Disney’s The Sword in the Stone, based on the beloved 1963 animated film and which reportedly will start production in Belfast, Ireland, in September.) Arthur has fared better on television with shows like Merlin surviving for five seasons, although its first season is rated at 29% on the Tomatometer. The new protagonist may be the best thing going for the project.

The Kingkiller Chronicle

TV Release Date: TBD

Based on: Patrick Rothfuss’s as-yet incomplete trilogy – which began with The Name of the Wind and continued in The Wise Man’s Fear – and other works Rothfuss set in the same reality. The main series tells the tale of a famed scribe and biographer listening to the stories of an adventurer, arcanist, and musician named Kvothe, who appears to have settled into a retirement as an innkeeper.

The Fanbase: Fantasy lovers and musicians like Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Everything we know so far: Lionsgate has been developing a series, film, and video game series based on Rothfuss’s novels since 2015. In November of 2016, Miranda signed on as a “creative producer” for the film and TV aspects of the project. The films – the first of which is to be directed by Spider-Man’s Sam Raimi – will concern Kvothe’s chronicle, while the TV series will explore other aspects of Rothfuss’s world. Both the author and Miranda are said to be developing characters for the series, which will air on Showtime when it finally emerges from development.

Chances it will be a Certified Fresh hit: It all depends on when it happens. Since the movie appears to be further along in development, it remains to be seen how much crossover will exist between it and the series. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. attempted cohesion with the film franchises for the first couple of years, but eventually needed narrative distance. And without that strong tie to the films, it is unclear if fans will take to new characters without Kvothe as a unifying force. Also, this is assuming the film itself is a Certified Fresh hit.

The Broken Earth

TV Release Date: TBD

Based on: N.K. Jemisin’s novels about a world in which the single supercontinent, Stillness, is ravaged every few centuries by a dramatic climate change known as “The Fifth Season.” The most recent Fifth Season proved to be particularly bad, leading some to believe the end is at hand. The society of Stillness is broken into races, castes and species. Those divisions help and hinder the people’s efforts to weather the possible apocalypse. Set against this landscape is the tale of three women with the power to both calm and agitate seismic activity under Stillness. The first two books in the series, The Fifth Season and The Obelisk Gate, won the Hugo Award for best novel in 2015 and 2016.

The Fanbase: The voting bodies of both the Hugo Awards and the Nebulas, who nominated The Fifth Season and The Obelisk Gate for best novel in their respective years.

Everything we know so far:The Fifth Season was optioned by TNT in August of 2017 with Sleepy Hollow’s Leigh Dana Jackson set to write the pilot. Heroes’ Tim Kring was also set to serve as an executive producer. There has been no news since, but development on even a simple (from a design perspective) high-school drama can take forever.

Chances it will be a Certified Fresh hit: As suggested above, it could be a strong counter-program to Amazon’s Conan and Lord of the Rings series with a strong emphasis on female characters and ecological disaster. At the same time, TNT is not known for long-running fantasy series – unless you count the fantastic elements of The Librarians – with its last true fantasy project, The Mists of Avalon, debuting back in 2001. That miniseries falters at 44% on the Tomatometer, but it should be noted that TNT was very different entity at the time. The current leadership could offer The Broken Earth the money and support it needs to be a special voice in fantasy television.

OUR FANTASY TV WISH LIST

Earthsea

(Photo by Buena Vista)

Based on: The Earthsea novels and stories of Ursula K. Le Guin. Set on a planet of small archipelagos, various cultures, and a real magic tradition, the first novel centers around Ged, a young mage who comes of age while trying to escape a demonic shadow he conjured into being. Sadly, Le Guin passed away before anyone could make an Earthsea adaptation which reflected her core concept for the world: a fantasy setting composed mainly of brown-skinned people accepting the inevitability of death.

Why We Want a TV Series: The 2004 Sci-Fi Channel (now Syfy) Legend of Earthsea miniseries haunts fans’ memories. Le Guin’s multiple criticisms of the adaptation — beginning with the whitewashing of Earthsea’s inhabitants — are far more entertaining than the show itself. She later allowed Studio Ghibli to adapt elements of the later novels into Tales from Earthsea(pictured above). Directed by Hayao Miyazaki’s son Goro, Le Guin was disappointed in its focus on combat and externalized villain despite praising its visual beauty.

Should anyone ever attempt Earthsea again, it would require a deep understanding of Le Guin to make it work for the fans. It would also require a Thrones-sized budget to make it look like the world the author envisioned.

Elric of Melniboné

Based on: The novellas – and later novels – of Michael Moorcock featuring Elric, a frail albino who also happens to be the 428th and final emperor of Meliboné. Though quite weak, Elric’s sword, Stormbringer, offers him renewed health and vitality, but it requires a constant supply of souls to keep it powered. At odds with traditional Meliboné society, his antics cause him troubles at court and lead to his own nephew plotting a coup against him.

Why We Want a TV Series: In its setting, it may remind some of Lord of the Rings and Conan, but Moorcock actively wrote Elric as an antithesis of the Cimmerian wanderer. Heady, weird, and expressly anti-Conan, Elric’s chances of success commercially or critically are a long shot. But then, an enterprising producer could position a series based on Moorcock’s stories as a compelling alternative to Conan.

Dragonlance

Based on: The Dungeons & Dragons role-playing scenarios by Laura and Tracy Hickman and the later tie-in novels by Tracy Hickman and Margaret Weis. In the world of Krynn, dragons dominate and dragonlances are the only weapons mortals not adept in magic can use to kill them. In the first trio of novels, the Heroes of the Lance fight to restore order to the realm. Since then, nearly 200 Dragonlance novels have been published.

Why We Want a TV Series: While seemingly obscure, a properly developed Dragonlance series would have the potential to fill the void left by Game of Thrones when it ends in 2019. The upcoming Dungeons & Dragons film is said to be based on Dragons of Autumn Twilight, the first Dragonlance novel, but a full series devoted to the game mechanics of D&D and the world of Krynn could be something revolutionary. And as Geek & Sundry’s Critical Roleproves every Thursday, there is an audience for stories steeped in the role-playing tradition.

Got another fantasy novel or series you think a smart network or streaming service should adapt? Let us know in the comments.